12 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Visit to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique!

I’m a big fan of magic and pixie dust. As you can probably gather from my blog name. The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a wonderful, special experience for the little Princess in your life who loves everything princess, fairy and magical

Here are some tips I’ve gathered from personal experience on how the little princess and YOU can have a great, relaxing time at the BBB. These experiences are specifically from Walt Disney World’s two boutiques. I’ve tried to make them as universal as possible, but there might be experience differences if you’re visiting other Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutiques around the world.

12. Don’t Force the Experience

If your little one is super outgoing and loves fantasy and sparkle, I wouldn’t worry about surprising her/him with the experience. Shy princesses can love the BBB just as much as outgoing, but you know your child. If you have to push her in on her heels and/or she hates her hair being brushed she’s probably not going to get the best experience. That money might be better used for a character meal and a fireworks dessert party. Also just because all of your daughters/grandkids and their cousins are doing it, try not to force it on all the kids if they’re not “feelin’ it.” Some older kids might not appreciate being forced to match their younger relatives and all you’ll get out of it is a lighter wallet and a grumpy face in the rest of your vacation photos.

11. Bring Your Own Dress

The Castle Package is a great experience and I would definitely recommend it if you can afford it. It’s quite magical to walk into the changing room and have all of her picks “magically” appear in her size, but if the price is a bit daunting you can bring along a dress. If you’d like to still make it a surprise you can bring your dress and accessories along in a bag to the appointment and discreetly hand the bag to the Fairy Godmother in Training at the podium to set up just like the castle package would in the changing room.

10. Don’t Create a Tight Schedule on Boutique Day

No matter when you get an appointment don’t schedule yourself so tightly with fastpasses and reservations that you’ll be rushing through the appointment. You’re paying partly for the hairdo and accessories, but also the EXPERIENCE. Give yourself a 1.5 hr window to enjoy the visit from start to reveal to photos in the studio <3

9. Don’t show up with wet hair

The best hair is yesterday’s hair, but as long as it’s dry you’re good. There are no dryers in the boutique and it will be extremely difficult to create the styles (especially the fairytale) with soaking wet hair. It’s a bit more understandable if you’re coming in from a Florida downpour of course, but if you have an appointment soon, it might be time to spring for a poncho if you don’t already have one in your bag.

8. Do Show up 15 minutes early

Unless you have an 8am appointment, you should arrive 15 minutes early and check in. There is sometimes a check-in line so the quicker you tell the Fairy Godmother in Training at the Podium the easier their job is. Especially if you want to do the Castle package with the dress & accessories. There is only 2 dressing rooms in the castle so it can get busy back there.

7. Don’t be afraid to ask for special treatment

I don’t mean ask for the Fairy Godmothers in Training (FGIT) to get you tea or something, but if your Princess/Prince needs something unique for their experience to go smoothly tell the Cast Member at reservations or the FGIT at the podium at check in. They can accommodate many things like wigs for little ones with no hair, wheelchair access, some foreign languages and anything you need to make the experience seamless and magical.

6. Talk to Your Fairy Godmother in Training

These magical fairies don’t just know how to create gravity defying hair dos, they know their stuff. The FGITs will definitely want to talk and of course let her talk to the princess to make it all about her, but it’s ok to join the conversation. If you have a question about the parks, where to find the characters, what they suggest for you to do next, best place to see the parade, where to find the coolest hidden mickeys, they’ll know it. And if they don’t, they’ll ask another FGIT who does know.

5. Sit back and enjoy the child’s experience

The FGIT will give your child LOTS of attention, don’t worry, but when it comes to the hair do and color choices, let the little one choose. I know this can be controversial with some parents, but this is usually the first time a child really gets to have there own way about how they look. It creates such a rush of confidence when she can walk out in her new do, makeup and nail polish she picked out all by herself! (and you’ll get lots of genuine smiles for photos later too!) If you just really can’t stand the idea of a pink, cotton candy bun of hair on her little brunette head, discreetly let the FGIT know. A no from the parent can create a controlling environment for the child, take some of the fun away and effect your calming vacation. If the little girl is in love with a certain princess (usually that’s the FGITs first question anyways) a FGIT can delicately steer a child into a different color or hair do without the child being aware you had anything to do with it. Confidence boosted and parents come out like kings and queens. It’s a win/win.

4. Trust the all might “magic combs”

A lot of parents tell their FGIT that their princess is “tender headed” and most of them stand there with their mouths gaping when the child doesn’t yell or scream once like they do at home. The FGITs are trained on how to comb a child’s hair so it doesn’t hurt, so if you need to reassure a child going in because they don’t like their hair combed, tell them about the “magic combs” to put their minds at ease.

3. Don’t be afraid to check for openings

If your princess/prince aren’t entirely sure about going to the BBB, but then decide once they get there that they MUST do it, don’t panic! Unless it’s vacation weeks or Christmas there is usually an opening at one of the two BBBs on WDW property. You can check by going to the concierge desk at your Resort or calling reservations. The Downtown Disney location can almost always slip in a princess buuuut if you’re dead set on the castle there is a third way. Going to Magic Kingdom at rope drop and check in with the FGIT at the podium for openings first thing. It is possible that someone cancels last minute and there is an opening that Reservations doesn’t know about yet. If there are no opening yet, ask if you can check back later. It’s not a sure thing, but sometimes you can hit it just right.

2. Do Ask Hair Questions

If your princess is determined to wear this do for the rest of your trip ask you FGIT how to keep it nice. They’re usually happy to show mom or dad how to carefully remove the hair piece so she can sleep in it and then reattach it the next morning for perfect hair without the bed head. I’d suggest taking a small, travel size hair spray with you so you can stick any fly-aways back up in there.

1. Sharing is Caring, Especially with Pixie Dust

Pixie Dust is not just for the royal clients, it’s for mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, sister, brother and the rest. If you would like a little sparkle to match the princess/prince and you’re over the age of 3 definitely ask for some. The FGITs are happy to share a little magic to make your day sparkle!

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I hope this helps some people make a decision on whether the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is the right choice for your family! For more information and reservations see Disney’s official site HERE.

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The Blogger

Christa is an artist living near the sea in Massachusetts. Many people have called her Daria, Wednesday or Edna, it is usually taken as a compliment even when meant as an insult. She loves sewing, Disney World, Halloween and anything chocolate.